Understanding Disasters and Their Impact
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Questions and Answers

What characterizes a disaster when it occurs?

  • It always impacts uninhabited areas.
  • It requires minimal intervention from government agencies.
  • It happens without any warning. (correct)
  • It can be managed using normal means.

    • A disaster can occur in areas with no vulnerable populations.

    False (B)

    What is required for effective intervention during a disaster?

    Immediate intervention from national government agencies and non-government organizations.

    A disaster creates demands beyond the capacity of ______.

    <p>government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following characteristics of disasters with their descriptions:

    <p>Unexpected = Disasters happen with little or no warning. Management = Disasters cannot be managed through normal means. Impact = A disaster occurs when a hazard affects vulnerable populations. Response = Requires the immediate action of both national and non-government organizations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following events qualifies as a disaster?

    <p>A tsunami hitting a dense coastal city (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The President has the authority to declare a state of emergency during a disaster.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common response when a disaster is declared?

    <p>Formulation and implementation of response and recovery programs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a medical effect of disasters?

    <p>Increased employment opportunities (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Disasters can disrupt transportation by rendering roads impassable.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one type of facility that can be damaged during a widespread disaster.

    <p>Hospital</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Disruption of transportation can make rescue operations _____ difficult.

    <p>doubly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of disaster effect to its description:

    <p>Economic impact = Normal business operations are curtailed Global environmental change = Increased hazards like wildfires Social and political impact = Exposing social and political inequities Damage to critical facilities = Destruction of hospitals and communication systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can increase the magnitude of disasters in urban areas?

    <p>Encroachment on hazardous areas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The risks associated with disasters cannot be quantitatively expressed.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence of global environmental change related to disasters?

    <p>Weakened immune systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three main components that express disaster risk?

    <p>Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Disaster risk decreases as vulnerability increases.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a risk assessment estimate?

    <p>The impact that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Disaster Risk = Hazard x Exposure x __________.

    <p>Vulnerability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Hazard = A potential source of harm or adverse effect Exposure = The extent to which people or assets are subject to hazards Vulnerability = The susceptibility to be harmed by hazards Risk assessment = The process of estimating the impact of hazards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT affect the magnitude of a disaster?

    <p>Political stability of the area (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A risk map indicates the hazards, effects, vulnerabilities, and costs of damage.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'vulnerability' refer to in the context of disaster risk?

    <p>The degree to which people, property, and the environment are susceptible to the impacts of hazards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the major reasons people resist relocation after a disaster?

    <p>Attachment to their homes and jobs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    People often believe that natural disasters do not occur in cycles.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do vulnerable populations often prioritize over relocation?

    <p>Access to fertile land or flood plains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The most vulnerable populations often live near _____, which puts them at risk during natural disasters.

    <p>volcanoes or flood-prone sites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the reasons for staying in hazard-prone areas with their explanations:

    <p>Attachment to land = Emotional ties to homes and communities Fear of starvation = Concerns about food security far from productive land Perception of risk = Underestimating the likelihood of disasters False sense of safety = Belief that time will mitigate risks after an event</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the components of disaster risk as expressed in the model?

    <p>Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Reducing vulnerability and exposure can help minimize the impact of disasters.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to disaster risk if there is no hazard?

    <p>The risk is null.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The formula for disaster risk is expressed as: Disaster Risk = Hazard x _____ x Vulnerability.

    <p>Exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their descriptions:

    <p>Hazard = A potential source of harm Exposure = The presence of people and property in hazardous areas Vulnerability = The susceptibility of a community to harm from hazards Mitigation = Efforts to reduce the impact of disasters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can vulnerability and exposure be reduced?

    <p>By relocating people and properties away from hazards (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Imposing relocation on affected individuals is a straightforward solution.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of disaster risk reduction measures?

    <p>To minimize the impact of disasters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Definition of Disaster

    • A hazard becomes a disaster when it affects vulnerable populations, leading to destruction or harm.
    • Natural events like volcanic eruptions or tsunamis must impact populated areas to be classified as disasters.

    Characteristics of Disasters

    • Disasters often occur unexpectedly, causing extensive casualties and property damage.
    • They cannot be managed through conventional methods; rapid intervention from national agencies and NGOs is required.
    • Disasters create demands that exceed local and national governmental capabilities.

    Impacts of Disasters

    • Medical Effects: Can include traumatic injuries, emotional distress, and the spread of diseases.
    • Damage to Critical Facilities: Disasters can destroy vital infrastructure such as hospitals, communication systems, and water treatment facilities.
    • Transportation Disruption: Roads and bridges may become impassable, hindering rescue efforts and emergency operations.
    • Economic Impact: Business operations halt, and individuals must engage in disaster response activities instead of their regular jobs.
    • Global Environmental Change: Evidence suggests that human actions and disasters contribute to climate change, escalating future risks.
    • Social and Political Impact: Disasters expose existing inequalities, potentially prompting social and political transformations.

    Concept of Disaster Risk

    • Disaster risks can be quantitatively measured and provide comparisons between past and future incidents.
    • The increasing encroachment on hazardous areas heightens disaster magnitude.
    • Disaster risk is a function of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, represented as:
      • Disaster Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability

    Risk Assessment

    • Evaluates potential impacts of hazards on people, services, and infrastructure.
    • A risk map illustrates hazards, vulnerabilities, and expected damages.
    • Key factors influencing disaster magnitude include severity of events, number of exposed individuals, and the quality of exposure.

    Minimizing Disaster Risk

    • Disaster risk can be mitigated by reducing exposure and vulnerability through preparedness measures.
    • Relocation can be necessary but challenging due to people's attachment to their homes and livelihoods.
    • Vulnerable populations often live in high-risk areas due to limited options and economic constraints.
    • Awareness of risks is often undervalued as past disasters may create a false sense of security about future incidents.

    Considerations for Relocation

    • Effective relocation strategies should accompany other mitigation measures.
    • Community resistance to relocation is common, especially when individuals must abandon productive land or homes.
    • People may underestimate disaster risks based on misconceptions about the frequency of such events.

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    Related Documents

    Basic Concept of Disaster and Disaster Risk PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the definition, characteristics, and impacts of disasters on vulnerable populations. It covers the unexpected nature of disasters, the medical and economic effects, and the challenges faced in emergency response. Assess your knowledge of how disasters affect communities and infrastructure.

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